Gull River

Interim Management Statement

©2003, Queen’s Printer for Ontario

Printed in Ontario, Canada

Additional copies of this publication can be obtained from:

Ministry of Natural Resources Thunder Bay District Ontario Parks Suite B001, Ontario Government Building 435 James St S. Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6S8 Telephone: (807) 475-1471

And:

Ontario Parks Northwest Zone Suite 221D 435 James Street South Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6S8 Telephone: (807) 475-1321

Approval Statement

This Interim Management Statement will provide interim direction for the management of Gull River Provincial Park until a comprehensive Park Management Plan is prepared.

This statement will provide the basis for the subsequent preparation of the Park Management Plan.

I am pleased to approve this Interim Management Statement for Gull River Provincial Park.

Tim P. Sullivan Zone Manager, Ontario Parks North West Zone

PRELUDE

The purpose of this Interim Management Statement is to identify:

I park values, which are to be protected;

II resource management prescriptions necessary to protect these values in their current state; and

III restrictions, according to existing park policy, on use of natural resources within the park.

This Interim Management Statement is not intended to replace a Park Management Plan. Rather it is intended to guide the use of natural resources and related activities within the park until such a time as a Park Management Plan is prepared.

The guidelines that have been developed are based upon information contained in the Ontario Provincial Parks Planning and Management Policies (1992) and Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy (1999).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION NAME: Gull River Provincial Park CLASSIFICATION: Waterway MNR DISTRICT: Thunder Bay MNR REGION: North West Refer to the maps at the end of the document. TOTAL AREA (ha): 7,978 SITE REGION / DISTRICT: 3W-2, 3W-3 DATE IN REGULATION: Not yet regulated

TARGETS LIFE SCIENCE REPRESENTATION site type / landscape unit Species / communities ƒ Sandy fluvial lacustrine sediments on ƒ Deciduous-dominated mixedwood forest meandering portions of the river; bedrock and ƒ Mixed Jack pine – Black spruce dominated stands morainal dominated landscapes in mid valley ƒ Diverse mosaic of wetland communities including section creating fast flowing water marsh complexes, shore fens and thicket swamps ƒ Boreal (Upper English River section) Forest along margins of oxbow lakes and remnant channel Region segments

EARTH SCIENCE REPRESENTATION Geological theme feature(s) ƒ Nipigon Plate of the Southern Province – ƒ Recent fluvial and Wisconsinan fluvial lacustrine easterly trending belts of Archean supracrustal sediments volcanic and sedimentary rocks ƒ Kaiashk Interlobate Moraine ƒ Wabigoon Sub-Province – east-trending granite- ƒ Lacustrine Deposits; Fluvial Deposits; Weakly to greenstone subprovince of the Superior Strongly Broken Outwash Deposits; Weakly to Province Strongly Broken Ground Moraine; Strongly Broken ƒ North Bay and Timiscaming Interstadials Bedrock Cliffs

CULTURAL RESOURCE REPRESENTATION Cultural resource representation theme segment ƒ Unconfirmed but high potential for Late Woodland ƒ Unknown sites

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES day use car camping Wilderness/backcountry Nature Appreciation Crown land Camping (Detour Lake Backcountry Canoe Camping Angling Opportunities area) (Gull River Canoe Route) Waterfall Viewing

INVENTORIES Level/type reconnaissance / detailed / completion date Required completion date Earth science Y – Dec 2000 N Y – detailed life science Y – Dec 2000 N Y – detailed Cultural N N Y Recreational Checklist – March 2001 N Y Other N/A N/A N/A

March 2003 Gull River Provincial Park IMS Page 1 Gull River Provincial Park Interim Management Statement

I INTRODUCTION

Gull River Provincial Park (P2261) was established as part of Ontario’s Living Legacy, a land use strategy that guides the planning and management of Crown lands in central and portions of northern Ontario. Under this initiative, released July 1999, 378 new protected areas were identified. Gull River Provincial Park is part of this significant expansion of Ontario’s protected areas system.

Gull River Provincial Park (7,978 ha) is designated a Waterway class park in recognition of its representative natural features and high quality recreational water route. The park, which spans over 80 km, begins at the Garden Lake Road (Hwy. 811) on the Mooseland River. It travels in a northeasterly direction meeting the Gull River, then onwards to the Gull Bay First Nation, 5 km to the west of Hwy 527. It is located approximately 160 km north of the City of Thunder Bay and 93 km south of the Town of Armstrong.

The park will serve as an important recreational waterway for the experienced canoeist, providing a waterway linkage from protected areas to the west (Garden - Pakashkan Conservation Reserve) to Lake Nipigon, although, access to Lake Nipigon requires traversing the Gull Bay First Nation.

II LAND TENURE/ACQUISITION/DISPOSITION

Composed of Crown land, with a boundary set at 200m from the water’s edge, Gull River Provincial Park links the waterways of Garden Lake - Mooseland River and Gull River to Lake Nipigon. The boundaries extend to take in a number of land based areas; specifically at the intersection of the Mooseland and Gull rivers, Rumpel Lake, south of Pantagruel Creek and west of Drunk Creek. The headwaters of the Gull River and the Kaiashk Interlobate Moraine form a large portion of the park.

The Kaiashk Provincial Nature Reserve, an existing 780 ha Nature Reserve park, is almost entirely surrounded by the Gull River Provincial Park. The park management planning process will consider the formal addition of this nature reserve park to Gull River Provincial Park, as a nature reserve zone. The Ontario’s Living Legacy Conservation Reserve C2410 (Garden-Pakashkan) lies to the southwest of Gull River Provincial Park and Conservation Reserve C2262 (Ottertooth) abuts the park’s border on both sides southwest of Detour Lake. The Spruce River Forest Management Unit (FMU) and the Black Sturgeon FMU abut Gull River Provincial Park.

No transmission lines, gas pipeline corridors or major highways cross the park. However, the Kitchen Forest Access Road crosses the Gull River south of the Mooseland / Gull River intersection, and the Detour Lake Road follows the north shore of the river westward from Detour Lake. Existing and proposed road development is also discussed in Section IX – Access. There are no private recreational camps within the park boundaries.

Guideline:

• No land disposition for the private use of individuals or corporations will be considered within the park. • Dispositions for uses associated with activities permitted in this IMS will be considered. • Policy guidelines for the Kaiashk Provincial Nature Reserve are outlined in the Interim Management Statement for this park.

III ABORIGINAL INTERESTS

Gull River Provincial Park area is within the boundaries of lands covered under the Robinson - Superior Treaty of 1850. The Gull Bay First Nation (I.R.#55) abuts the eastern boundary of the park.

March 2003 Gull River Provincial Park IMS Page 2 Ontario Parks understands that primarily this First Nation has traditional interest within the park area. There are no formal land claims regarding Gull River Provincial Park at this time.

Guideline:

ƒ Any management guidelines will reflect the Ontario government’s approach to aboriginal rights: a) All decisions related to the identification, planning or disposition of provincial parklands, or other lands set aside to protect significant natural or cultural heritage values, will be the subject of public consultation. Aboriginal peoples who identify traditional ties to those lands will be integral to the consultation and decision making processes. In some cases, there may be a need for separate consultation or negotiation processes to address Aboriginal interest in parklands. If required, some issues regarding how a park is used may also be the subjects of negotiation with Aboriginal people. b) The Government of Ontario will consider all the available options when seeking to determine the land component, if any, during negotiations involving land claim settlements with First Nations. Options for uses that involve lands that are not to be considered for provincial park purposes will be preferred. c) As described in the Province’s Interim Enforcement Policy (1991), aboriginal people hunting or fishing in provincial parks will be subject to all relevant treaties and laws. However, an agreement reached between the Province and a First Nation may modify the application of those treaties and laws (Ontario Provincial Parks: Planning and Management Policies, 1992).

IV NATURAL RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP

Gull River Provincial Park (7,978 ha) represents the ecological site districts of 3W-2 and 3W-3 (Hill, 1964), and is characterized by the boreal forest, modified by extensive forest fire history. The park contains a variety of earth and life science features including kettle, moraine and outwash features, steep slopes, and fisheries habitat.

The Gull River Provincial Park is found mainly within the Nipigon Plate of the Southern Province and to a lesser extent, the Wabigoon Subprovince (Central portion) of the Superior Province. The Southern Province was formed as part of the Mesoproterozoic Mid-Continent Rift (1.11 to 1.09 billion years ago). It is comprised of Aphebian sedimentary and volcanic rocks that lie unconformably on the Archean rocks of the Superior Province. The Aphebian rocks have been intruded by basic rocks, including Logan and Nipigon sills. Nipigon diabase dikes and sills underlie the majority of the area. The Superior Province is characterized by easterly trending belts of Archean supracrustal volcanic and sedimentary rocks separated by areas of granitoid batholiths (Geowest Environmental Consultants, 2001).

The surficial geology is highly impacted by the Late Wisconsin glacial period (30,000 –10,000 years before present). The ice front retreated, re-advanced then retreated during the corresponding periods: North Bay Interstadial (circa 10.9 ka BP1), Algonquin stadial (10.6 ka PB) and Timiscaming Interstadial (9.5 ka PB). Portions of the Gull River represent the easterly shoreline of glacial Lake Agassiz with the Kaiashk spillway acting as an eastern outlet into glacial Lake Kelvin (current-day Lake Nipigon) (Geowest Environmental Consultants, 2001).

The Kaiashk Provincial Nature Reserve, adjacent to the southeast corner of the Gull River Provincial Park, represents the Kaiashk Interlobate Moraine, a moraine that runs in a northeast/southwest direction extending 115 km on the west side of Lake Nipigon. Its slopes are very steep and the relief of the crest is usually irregular. Numerous deep kettles occur especially near the northern edge of the moraine, whereas the southern margin is often dissected by deeply eroded gullies (Zoltai 1965). It is speculated that the Kaiashk Moraine was deposited during the late Algonquin to Early Timiscaming periods (Geowest Environmental Consultants, 2001).

1 Ka BP – thousand years before present March 2003 Gull River Provincial Park IMS Page 3 Surficial geology of the park ranges from lacustrine sediments, weakly to strongly broken outwash materials and weakly broken ground moraine. The intersection of the Gull and Mooseland River represents esker formations and hummocky moraine. The lower downstream forty-percent of the river has lacustrine sediment and outwash material, ranging from sand to silty clay to clay. Fluvial materials are found within the active floodplain of the river, while the fluvial lacustrine sediments are found adjacent. In low-laying areas, thin organics have developed over the sediments. Within these sections of the river, the morphology tends to be meandering and is not confined by bedrock. Bedrock and morainal dominated landscapes abut the river in the middle section (adjacent Rumple Lake) and along the Mooseland River. In this section, rapids and swift flowing water dominate the river. A number of prominent diabase sills protrude along the eastern side of the Gull River, with talus being deposited at the base of these bedrock slopes (Geowest Environmental Consultants, 2001).

Based on its geology, the park’s mineral potential is quite high in the portion of the park contained in the Garden Lake greenstone belt (south of the intersection of the Mooseland and Gull rivers). The area is underlain by mixed supracrustal rocks that are known to host precious and base metal deposits. The remaining portion of the park in the Wabigoon Subprovince is rated as unknown, as it has experienced minimal mineral exploration. From Rumpel Lake northward, the area is underlain by flat-lying diabase of the Nipigon Plate, known to host platinum group elements.

Lands and Waters

The park is within the Atlantic Watershed; water flows into Lake Nipigon, which flows into the Great Lakes system at Lake Superior. The Gull River drains the area to the southwest, including Mount Lake, Crazy Creek, Guay Lake, Rabelais Creek, Pantagruel Lake, Pantagruel Creek, Grimm Lake, Lighthall Lake, Nydo Lake, Kitchen Lake, Ruffo Lake and Garden River.

The presence of sandy fluvial lacustrine sediments in the upper reaches of the Gull River, as well as the lower 24 km of the river, resulted in a strongly meandering channel pattern with numerous serpentine meander loops, point bars, oxbow lakes, meander scrolls and abandoned channel segments. Moraines dominate the landscape in the middle reaches of the Gull River valley (adjacent to Rumple Lake) and along the Mooseland River, resulting in narrow, straight to sinuous channels, often with rapids and fast flowing waters (Geowest Environmental Consultants, 2001).

Guideline:

• Aggregate extraction is not permitted. • Peat extraction is not permitted. • Commercial hydro development is not permitted. • Water control structures are permitted in certain zones in waterway class parks to perpetuate natural and cultural values or to enhance recreational opportunities. The need for any water control structures will be determined in the park management plan. • Mineral exploration and mining are not permitted within Gull River Provincial Park.

Vegetation Management

The vegetation of Gull River Provincial Park is characterized by deciduous, mixed and conifer forest stands. Deciduous-dominated mixedwood forest occurs on upland, well drained sites dominated by either trembling aspen or white birch (Vegetation Type V9 / V4). White spruce mixed wood stands occur on cooler aspects (Vegetation Type V15). Valley bottom terrain on coarse textured fluvial lacustrine sediments typically supports coniferous forest stands dominated by jack pine- black spruce (Vegetation Type V29 or V32, depending on drainage). Poorly drained lowland sites with thin organic veneers are dominated by black spruce with occurrences of balsam fir and tamarack (Vegetation Type V34 / V33). Gradual in-filling of old channel segments and oxbow lakes has led to the development of a highly diverse mosaic of wetland communities including various marsh complexes, shore fens and thicket swamps.

Fire has caused a degree of natural disturbance in the park. The most recent disturbance was the large fire of 1980 that affected the Ottertooth to Gull River region. The 1950s saw fire in the

March 2003 Gull River Provincial Park IMS Page 4 downstream portion from Detour Lake east to Lake Nipigon and the 1930s saw fire in the Garden - Mooseland area. In the 1970s a forest fire also effected the Kaiashk moraine.

The park is located in the following Forest Management Units: Spruce River FMU 030 (S.F.L. #542526) managed by Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. and Black Sturgeon FMU 178 under Bowater Inc. (S.F.L. #502900). It is within the Intensive Zone for forest fire suppression.

Forest management activities first took place in the late 1950s when the Black Sturgeon Road was built to the Gull Bay Indian Reserve. The Detour Lake area was probably horse logged over 30 years ago. During that period, spruce and pine were selectively logged. The resultant forest is mixed hardwood with a balsam fir component that grew up after the 1940 spruce budworm infestation. The late 1970s saw the construction of the Garden Lake Road, with some logging adjacent to the road. It was in the 1996-2001 Spruce River forest operations period that the Kitchen Road was established. Similarly, forest operations occurred along the Mooseland Road to Naydo Lake in the 1990-1996 operating period. There are adjacent scheduled harvest blocks in the 2001-2006 Spruce River FMP in the Kitchen Lake and Roaring River area.

In the Black Sturgeon Forest, there are significant Marten Core blocks adjacent to protected areas such as the Gull River. Here, the area has been deferred from harvesting for 60 years. There are no adjacent scheduled harvest blocks in the 2001-2006 Black Sturgeon FMP.

Guideline:

• Commercial forest operations are not permitted. • Fuelwood cutting is not permitted. • Insect/disease suppression of non-native infestations is permitted. • In the absence of a fire management plan for the park, the fire management objectives for the surrounding fire zone will apply. All human-caused fires will be suppressed. • Prescribed burning may be permitted, subject to park management planning. • The need for a Vegetation Management plan, which will include prescriptions for fire management, will be determined in the park management plan. • Ontario Parks will act as a plan advisor and reviewer during the Forest Management Planning Process, in accordance with the Northwest Zone’s Protocol - Ontario Parks and Forest Management Planning. This process ensures that park values and park-related values are recognized, and that protection and mitigation measures are worked out through the development of the forest management plan when these values are potentially effected by adjacent forestry operations.

Wildlife Management

The park falls within Wildlife Management Unit 15B. The diversity of vegetation and forest cover types provide an equally diverse assemblage of wildlife habitats for large and small mammals such as moose, black bear, lynx, timber wolf, red fox, mink, pine marten, fisher and snowshoe hare. Deciduous-dominated mixed wood stands provide excellent moose forage opportunities, while the coniferous stands provide for winter habitat. There are few documented moose aquatic-feeding areas, especially in the lower portion eastward from Pantagruel Creek. The presence of ericaceous (heath family) shrubs in the understory of mixedwood forest components provides good habitat for black bear and smaller furbearers.

Guideline:

• Non-invasive wildlife monitoring may be permitted. The need for a Wildlife Management Plan will be resolved in the park management plan. • Sport hunting is a permitted, subject to the relevant Ontario Hunting Regulations. Consideration of safety and conservation with respect to hunting will be made during park management planning with public involvement. • Aboriginal and Treaty rights to hunt are not affected.

March 2003 Gull River Provincial Park IMS Page 5 Fisheries Management

Native fish species occurring in the area include walleye, yellow perch and northern pike. Lake sturgeon has been noted spawning in the lower portion of the Gull River east of Detour Lake. The Thunder Bay District Fisheries Management Plan identifies a number of management intents for zones (specifically Zone 3, 14 and 16) that include lakes in the park. In general, walleye will be managed at sustainable levels. Refer to the document for further details. The river itself is a cold water system, with a number of rapids and falls complexes. Though not documented, it is likely that speckled (brook) trout is present in the system and in creeks flowing into the Gull River. In terms of sport fishing regulation, Division 21 of the Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary applies to Gull River Provincial Park.

Guideline:

• Non-invasive fisheries monitoring may be permitted. The need for a Fisheries Management Plan will be resolved in the park management plan. • Sport fishing is permitted subject to the relevant Ontario Sport Fishing Regulations. • Unless this park is determined to be a high intensity waterway during park management planning, live baitfish should not be used or possessed in this provincial park. Until such time as a regulation is established under the Ontario Fishing Regulations, Ontario Park will discourage the use or possession of baitfish in this provincial park. • Fish stocking of native species may be permitted but stocking of non-native species is prohibited. • Aboriginal and Treaty rights to fish are not affected.

V CULTURAL RESOURCES

There are no known archeological values.

Guideline:

• Further inventory is required to assess the cultural resources of the park. Approved archeological fieldwork will be encouraged. • The locations of any archeological sites will not be public information. Necessary measures (access/development restrictions) to protect the integrity of any archeological sites will be implemented. • The need for a Cultural Resources Plan/Strategy for cultural features/sensitive areas will be determined with park management planning.

VI EXISTING/PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

Gull River Provincial Park has minimal existing development. Crown land camping is limited to access points or backcountry campsite locations along the canoe route. Recently there has been some unauthorized campsite development along the river. These sites have road access via the adjacent old Detour Lake forest access road. Two sites closest to Detour Lake are well established, associated with the canoe route and viewing of a waterfall. The remaining three sites have been established in conjunction with upgrading of the old logging road. There is a primitive campsite at the Garden Lake Road intersection. It is used extensively for hunting and includes both a fire pit and privy. There are no trap cabins or other framed structures located in the park.

The Gull River is a documented canoe route. The portages have not been maintained for a number of years. Portages and campsites are not signed.

There are currently no proposed road crossings for forest management in the current FMP operations, though there are few adjacent logging roads, and currently the Kitchen Road crosses the

March 2003 Gull River Provincial Park IMS Page 6 Gull River just prior to its intersection with the Mooseland River. Portions of these roads and some portage trails could be used for ATVs / snowmachines.

Guideline:

• Development of access zones and car/backcountry campsites will be addressed via park management planning. Ontario Parks’ signage is permitted. • Continuing custodial management for roads contained within the park and capital development of new/additional roads and trails will be determined through park management planning. • Existing and future road crossings of waterway class parks for forest operations occurring outside park boundaries are permitted subject to provisions of the Environmental Assessment Act. The number of road crossing will be minimized and they will be managed to reduce their impact on natural, recreational and aesthetic values. • The use of snowmachines/ATVs is covered under Section VII – Recreation Activities.

VII RECREATION ACTIVITIES

Gull River Provincial Park is noted for its multi-day canoe tripping opportunities. The opportunities for angling are numerous and since much of the river is good moose habitat and there are a few documented aquatic-feeding areas, viewing opportunities are excellent. Day use scenic viewing of a waterfall is possible with trail access (approximately 500 m) from the Detour Lake Road. Hunting game mammals and birds are popular activities on nearby logging roads. ATV and snowmachine use is limited, as there is only one logging road within the park (portion of Detour Lake Road).

The canoe route is recommended for experienced paddlers with whitewater skills, as there are numerous rapids that can be run or lined. The whitewater makes the route seasonally dependent on water levels and is recommended for springtime use. There are 15 documented portages, which are not actively maintained. It is a one way trip taking 5-8 days, with access at the Garden Lake Road and, approximately 100km downstream, at Highway 527. The route is not heavily used and campsites are limited.

Guideline:

• Park management planning will determine policies for recreation management, including camping and canoeing. • Motorized land vehicles, aircraft and watercraft (private and commercial) may be restricted in certain park zones subject to park management planning. Motor size restrictions can be imposed subject to park management planning. • The use of ATVs and snowmachines will be determined through park management planning. • Self-guided nature appreciation and wildlife observation is permitted. • Sport fishing and hunting are addressed in Section IV – Natural Resources Stewardship.

VIII COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES

There are no commercial establishments contained within the park. The park is located in the following Forest Management Units: Spruce River (FMU 030) and Black Sturgeon (FMU 130).

There are three operators actively using the following Bear Management Areas (BMAs) within the park: TB-15B-014, TB-15B-015, and TB-15B-007.

Three traplines, each with its own operator, are associated with the park: NG- 21, TB-52 and TB-41. There are no trap cabins located in the park. Small game animals trapped include beaver, mink, pine marten, fisher, beaver and weasel. The length of trapping season is animal-specific and regulated under the Summary of the Fur Management Regulations.

March 2003 Gull River Provincial Park IMS Page 7

The park contains wholly or partially the following baitfish harvest blocks: 497891, 497892, 91, 86, 85. Of these, three are active with three operators. One of the blocks is registered to a Status Indian. Block 86 and 91 are vacant.

Guideline:

• New tourism facilities may be considered through the park management planning process. • No new BMAs will be permitted. An existing authorized BMA license may be renewed or transferred subject to park management planning. • Existing commercial fur harvesting within Gull River Provincial Park is permitted. • Status Indians exercising treaty rights are permitted to continue trapping, subject to applicable legislation and regulation. • No new commercial fur harvesting operations will be permitted, including new cabins and trails. The relocation of existing trails will be subject to ecological principles and park management planning. • If a commercial trapping license is revoked or surrendered, all portions of the registered trap line within the park will be rescinded from the trap line’s legal description. Transfers will only be permitted between Status Indians • Snowmachine trails used for access to trap lines are permitted. • Existing bait harvesting is permitted to continue indefinitely, subject to possible conditions identified in subsequent Provincial Park and/or Fisheries Management Plans. No new bait harvesting licenses will be permitted on the portions of vacant blocks 86 and 91 within the park, but active licenses may be transferred where it is an established permitted use. • Commercial forest operations are not permitted. • Aboriginal and Treaty rights to harvest wild rice are not affected.

IX ACCESS

The park can be approached via Hwy 527 or Hwy 811 (Garden Lake Road). There is an access point at the Garden Lake Road where it crosses the Mooseland River and where the Gull River crosses Hwy 527. Visitors wishing to access Hwy 527 from the Gull River need to be aware that they must enter the Gull River First Nation and should obtain permission to do so, especially if they plan to leave a vehicle at the access point.

The are two forest access roads that provide informal access to the Gull River. One is the Detour Lake road, at the north end of the park. The road is in poor condition, with access by 4X4 only. Recently there has been an unauthorized extension of the road of about 500m. The last 8-10 km of this road lie within the park boundary, and five primitive camping areas are evident along this portion. The Kitchen Road crosses the Gull near its confluence with the Mooseland River. During current forest operations this road was gated limiting access to the park. The proposed extension of the Roaring River forest access road, which lies west of the park, will cross the Roaring River just upstream from its entrance into the Gull. Both of these roads will be posted under the Public Lands Act as “The use of this road to access the Gull River Provincial Park is prohibited,” in order to preserve the remote character of this waterway.

There are no proposed road crossing for forest management in the current Spruce River and Black Sturgeon Forest Management Plans.

Guideline:

• Access into the park from traditionally used roads will be permitted (with the exceptions noted below) to continue pending park management planning. No new access to the park

March 2003 Gull River Provincial Park IMS Page 8 will be created from roads adjacent to the park until resolved via park management planning. • Until such time that access is resolved in park management planning, the use of the Kitchen and Roaring River roads to access the park will be prohibited. • Decisions on new roads, parking facilities and long-term management of roads abutting / crossing parklands will be clarified via park management planning when access zones are delineated. New roads abutting the park are determined during forest management planning, reflecting the need to harmonize the Spruce River Forest Management Plan (FMP) with the direct given in this IMS and future park management plans. • Access by Aboriginal people exercising their Aboriginal or Treaty rights is not affected.

X CLIENT SERVICES

There are currently no client services for the Gull River Provincial Park. Canoe route information is available from Chaltrek Camping and Geological Supplies Inc. in Thunder Bay, or by contacting the Thunder Bay Canoe and Kayak Club.

Guideline:

• Client services will be limited to a map/brochure until an approved park management plan is completed. Development of a Natural Heritage Education Plan will be considered when developing the park management plan.

XI RESEARCH AND INVENTORIES

Geowest Environmental Consultant Inc. completed reconnaissance level Earth and Life Science inventory reports in early 2001.

Guideline:

• Detailed earth science, life science, cultural and recreation values inventories will be undertaken when funding permits. • Additional research / inventories to document park values will be permitted if not in conflict with park values and consistent with the Ontario Parks Research and Information Strategy. • MNR, Ontario Parks or partnered groups and individuals may undertake research projects. The Park Superintendent/Zone Manager must approve all research applications.

XII MARKETING

Marketing of Gull River Provincial Park has to date been limited to Ontario Living Legacy initiatives.

Guideline:

• When resources are available, Ontario Parks will promote the park with the methods used for the other parks in the Northwest Zone. These include the Parks’ Guide, tourism trade shows, and “friends of…” organizations. • A park management plan may direct that a Marketing Plan be developed. The scope of this plan would include provincial, national, and international markets.

XIII SOURCES/REFERENCES

Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. 2001. Spruce River Forest 2001-2021 Forest Management Plan.

Bowater Inc. 2001. Black Sturgeon Forest Management Plan 2001-2021.

March 2003 Gull River Provincial Park IMS Page 9

Canadian Forestry Service. 1972. Forest Regions of Canada. (J.S. Rowe).

Geowest Environmental Inc. 2001. Earth and Life Science Inventory – Reconnaissance for Gull River Provincial Park

Hill, G.A. 1964 map update. Site Regions and Districts of Ontario.

Ministry of Natural Resources. 1999. Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy.

Ministry of Natural Resources. 1998. Boreal West Round Table Draft Recommendations.

Ministry of Natural Resources. 1992 update. Ontario Provincial Parks: Planning and Management Policies.

Ministry of Natural Resources. 2000. NRVIS- Thunder Bay District.

Ministry of Natural Resources. 1983. Thunder Bay District Land Use Guidelines (DLUG).

Ministry of Natural Resources. 1988. Thunder Bay District Fisheries Management Plan (1988-2000).

Ministry of Natural Resources. 2000. Recreation Inventory Report: Gull River Provincial Park (Whyte).

Ministry of Natural Resources. 1991. Kaiashk Provincial Nature Reserve – Interim Management Statement.

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. 2001. Personal communication (Jan 4/01)/Archeological Files - Regional Archeologist (Bill Ross).

Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. 1999. Mineral Resource Assessments for the Lands for Life Process (Resident Geologist files).

Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. 1991. Geology of Ontario; Special Volume 4 Part 1.

Ontario Geological Survey. 1983. NOEGTS 25 – Gull River Area.

Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat & Ministry of Citizenship. 1992. Akwesasne to Wunnumin Lake: Profiles of Aboriginal Communities in Ontario.

Zoltai, S.C. 1965. Glacial Features of the Quetico-Nipigon Area, Ontario. Can. J. Earth Sci. V.2, P.247-269.

March 2003 Gull River Provincial Park IMS Page 10 LAND USE ACTIVITY FOR GULL RIVER PROVINCIAL PARK

Activity Permitted Guideline Commercial Activities: Aggregate Extraction No Bait Fishing (commercial) Existing: Yes Existing use permitted to continue indefinitely. No new New: No operations permitted. Commercial Fishing Existing: No No operations exist. New: No Commercial Fur Harvesting Existing: Yes Existing use permitted to continue indefinitely. No new New: No operations permitted. No trap cabins currently exist. Commercial Hydro Development: No Commercial Timber Harvest: No Commercial Tourism (e.g. outfitting services, outpost camps, Existing authorized operations continue, subject to resorts/lodges) Yes planning prescription determined through management Existing: planning. Existing tourism facilities may be eligible for

enhanced tenure, and decisions will be made in management planning. Commercial Tourism (e.g. outfitting No New operations may be permitted in certain zones, with services, outpost camps, proposals to be reviewed through management resorts/lodges) planning. New Bear Hunting by Non-residents Maybe (guided): Energy Transmission and No These facilities should avoid park lands wherever Communications Corridors (new): possible. Mineral Exploration and Development: No Wildrice Harvesting - existing Yes Existing use permitted to continue indefinitely.

Wildrice Harvesting - New: No No new operations permitted. Land and Resource Management Activities Crown Land Disposition - Private Use: No No new land disposition for the private use of individuals is permitted, except for minor dispositions in support of existing uses (e.g. reconstruction of a septic system). Renewal of existing tenure for authorized uses is permitted. : Crown Land Disposition - Commercial Maybe Land disposition for commercial use may occur, under Use the authority of a land use permit or lease, subject to approval through a management planning process. Existing tourism facilities may be eligible for enhanced tenure. Fire Suppression: Maybe In the absence of a fire management plan for the park, the fire management objectives for the surrounding fire zone will apply. All human-caused fires will be suppressed. Human-caused accidental fires will be suppressed. Fish Habitat Management: Maybe May be considered through planning.

March 2003 Gull River Provincial Park IMS Page 11 Fish Stocking Native Species: Maybe May be considered through planning. Non-native Species: No Insect/Disease Suppression Maybe Policy is dependent on park zone. Inventory/Monitoring: Yes Personal use permits for wood Maybe Long-term management direction will be determined harvesting through planning. Existing authorized permits may continue on an interim basis for properties that do not have road access. Prescribed Burning: Prescribed burning may be permitted, subject to park Maybe management planning.

Roads (non-park use) Existing: Maybe Where existing roads are essential for continued access New: Maybe beyond the park for forest management or recreation purposes, and an alternative road access does not exist, or road relocation is not feasible, existing roads will continue to be available for access. Continued use will include maintenance and may include further upgrading.

Crossing of waterway parks by roads, railways and utility lines may be necessary. The number of crossing will be minimized where possible, and they will be managed to reduce their impact on recreational and aesthetic values. Access may also be required for mineral exploration and development in forest reserves within the provincial park, or where an area has been formally identified as having provincially significant mineral potential. Vegetation Management: Maybe May be considered through planning. Water Control Structure Existing: No No structures currently exist. New structures may be New: Maybe considered in some park zones, subject to a planning process. Wildlife Population Management: Maybe Science, Education and Heritage Appreciation Demonstration Areas: May be encouraged in historic zones if authentic to the Maybe zone. Not compatible with other zones. Historical Appreciation: Yes Nature Appreciation: Yes Photography and Painting: Yes Research: Yes Wildlife Viewing: Yes Recreation Activities and Facilities Aircraft Landing (water): Yes May be permitted in some zones. All Terrain Vehicle Use On Trails: Maybe Existing authorized ATV use, on an existing authorized Off Trails: No trail, can continue, subject to management prescriptions determined through park management planning. Off trail use not permitted unless specifically authorized by park superintendent. Campging: Long-term management direction for camping facilities Maybe will be determined through planning. Existing use may

March 2003 Gull River Provincial Park IMS Page 12 continue in the interim, unless park values are threatened. Horseback Riding (trail): Maybe No trails exist. Hunting: Yes Existing Bear Management Area licence may be renewed. No new BMA licenses will be issued. Mountain Bike Use: Maybe Long-term management direction will be determined through planning. Existing use may continue on authorized trails, as designated by the park superintendent, in the interim, unless park values are threatened. Motor Boat Use Long-term management direction will be determined Commercial: Maybe through planning. Existing use may continue in the interim, unless park values are threatened. Consult Private: Maybe regulations under the Provincial Parks Act for specific local details. Non-motorized Recreation Travel Maybe Long-term management direction will be determined (canoeing, kayaking, hiking, cross- through planning. Existing uses may continue in the country skiing, snowshoeing): interim, unless park values are threatened. Private Recreation Camps (Hunt Camps) No No camps exist. No new camps permitted. Existing: No New: Rock Climbing: Maybe Long-term management direction will be determined through planning. Rock climbing is permitted only in areas designated for that purpose by the park superintendent as per O. Reg. 952/01, s. 5.1 under the Provincial Parks Act. Sailing and Sailboarding: Maybe Long-term management direction will be determined through planning. Existing uses may continue in the interim, unless park values are threatened. Scuba and Skin Diving: Maybe Long-term management direction will be determined through planning. Existing uses may continue in the interim, unless park values are threatened Snowmobiling On Trails: Maybe Existing authorized snowmobile trails to continue, subject Off Trails: No to management prescriptions determined through management planning. Sport Fishing: Yes Consult the Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary for specific local details. Trail Development: Maybe Certain trails may be considered through planning.

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